I’ve seen every shape, color and creative package of resume and job application possible. But I’ve never seen one that actually scared me. But then recently, emergency crews at Eastern Illinois University evacuated a building after a campus postal carrier discovered a suspicious looking package addressed to the college admissions office. “There was no return address. It was poorly written and poorly addressed to the university. There were misspellings,” school spokeswoman Vicki Woodard said Saturday. “There was some tape over it. Just the overall appearance was rather strange.” The unusual size, no return address, misspellings in the address and the … Read More
Noon-Day Demon
Medieval writers used this term – “Noon-Day Demon.” They were referring to that season in life when we lose our enthusiasm, when we begin to question our existence and direction. We may call it a mid-life crisis today but the meaning is the same. We hear about switching from success to significance, or finding our purpose, calling or mission. Whatever your terminology, see this as a positive opportunity, not as a crisis. Yes, it is healthy to take a fresh look at where we are, where we want to go and how we are going to get there. You may … Read More
I Just Work for the Money
Ultimately working only for money is never enough compensation for investing our time and energy. “Law school sucked all the life and creativity out of me.” “I’ve never been happy practicing law.” “I’ve never had a sense of purpose.” “I feel destined to do something great, but have no idea why or what.” “I am working only for money.” These are statements from a young attorney – who in his last position had been sick for 6 months, “triggered initially by stress.” But a new “career opportunity” presented itself and he is now working in a prestigious position with a … Read More
Winning without losing your soul
As we are now in the last half of the year I always like to take a fresh look at everything I’m doing. Are writing, speaking, doing a podcast, creating new products, coaching, connecting people and spending time with family and friends all activities that embrace my “calling,” my purpose for being here on earth? Or have I allowed some things to creep in that are nothing more than income generators, or just worthless habits that I need to stop? My November 14th Goal My goal is to determine by November 14th what 15% of my current activities that I’m … Read More
Are you the donkey or the merchant?
Picture this scenario. A businessman who is liked and trusted by his neighbors has been given coffee samples from 50 local farmers. The next morning he loads up the samples in his cart behind his faithful donkey. He dangles a carrot in front of the donkey’s nose. The businessman is already thinking about all the orders he’s going to get from these delectable samples. The donkey has no idea where they’re going or why – he doesn’t even like coffee; he’s simply following the carrot just in front of his nose. At the end of the day, the donkey gets the … Read More
Shorts vs Panties
This morning I opened a new pack of undershorts that Joanne picked up for me. Wow – six pairs of new Jockey shorts. Out of curiosity I asked her what she paid for these. She said it was $5.99 for the pack of six. Okay that’s $.99 each – and these babies have double stitching, a variety of colors, the extra overlap for the trap door that we guys need – all in all just a real classy piece of workmanship. Then I asked her what she pays for her panties. She said normally $8-10.00 each. Of course those are much … Read More
Want to live a larger life?
Recently a 36-yr-old MBA in exec position in an exciting industry shared this concern in her coaching profile: “I have a vague sense that my life is too small.” Living large does not necessarily mean a bigger salary, house, cars or retirement fund. It has nothing to do with fancy vacations or the latest fashions. Rather, it means having a life that is full of meaning and purpose. And that can occur – or be absent – at any place on the continuum of the traditional parameters of “success.” I’ve seen millionaires who are living life “small” and those with scarce financial resources who are … Read More
Does God want me to “swallow poison” every day?
Patrice wants to know why she has been unable to develop her passion, and the only jobs available are ones that she hates. Here’s part of her lengthy letter: “After everything I’ve been through I’m afraid that somehow, God’s will for me is actually not to pursue the sole vocational passion He appears to have put in my heart, but to do this office work that feels like I’m swallowing poison every day. Maybe I’m projecting my family’s patterns onto God – child abuse survivors do that, probably even more so than those with healthier backgrounds – but I’m afraid that, counterintuitive … Read More
But I had no choice….
I heard a story about a man riding a horse at breakneck speed. It appears he’s going someplace very important. A man standing along the roadside shouts, “Where are you going?” To which the rider yells back, “I don’t know. Ask the horse.” This seems to be essentially the story I’m hearing from lots of people today. They’re riding the horse of circumstances, their habits or other people’s expectations. If that describes you, it’s time to grab the reins and move your life in the direction of where you really want to go. A Real Life Example I’m currently … Read More
This job makes me feel dirty
This week I had a rash of people writing about jobs they hate: This company treats employees like disposable objects A faceless member of management sent a memo to improve the numbers How can I find a job that doesn’t make me feel dirty? I can’t handle the envy, gossip, fights and no respect for the employees in my work place These are common perceptions as some time ago I got a note that said, “My company is going in a strictly money-motivated direction, and my manager may very well be Satan’s offspring.” In their book Decisive, Dan and Chip Heath describe … Read More